‘Don’t rush station plan just to keep jobs’

Don't rush ahead with the £500 million Reading Station update just to keep unemployment down.

That’s the message from Rob Wilson MP in Parliament this week.

But his Labour opponent in Reading East Anneliese Dodds has accused him of campaigning against investment in his own constituency.

Mr Wilson challenged the work and pensions secretary James Purnell in the House

of Commons on Monday saying: “This morning I was informed by Network Rail that trying to rush forward the £500 million upgrade of Reading Station in my constituency would be problematic.

“It could lead to poor planning and mistakes, and it would make little short-term difference to unemployment.

“Does the Secretary of State agree that trying to bring forward big capital projects such as the one at Reading Station is not the answer to unemployment, and that continuing a policy of reckless spending will do damage to unemployment?”

Later he added: “Isn’t it better to take sensible measures such as allowing small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to defer VAT bills for up to six months, reduce corporation tax and encourage banks to behave responsibly?

“This will mean SMEs can keep staff on rather than be forced to lay them off – making an immediate impact on levels of unemployment in my constituency.”

Ms Dodds, Parliamentary hopeful for Labour, responded expressing her astonishment at his call for “the Reading Station upgrade to be delayed”.

She said: “The MP for Reading East suggests the upgrade of Reading Station should not be rushed forward.

“He seems to be completely oblivious to the constant delays and overcrowding which plague commuters using Reading Station. Not to mention the massive bottlenecks at the Cow Lane Bridges which would be alleviated by the scheme.”

She continued: “I have written to Mr Wilson to ask him why he appears to be campaigning against investment in his own constituency.”